Surprise!

Friday was Andy's brother Brian's 30th birthday. We met them out for dinner at the Brown Bottle. We told the waitress of our timeline and she did a great job spacing out appetizers, drinks, and dessert so that we were done just at the right time. Meghann had been doing lots of planning and had 50+ friends and family waiting at College Street Billiards around the corner. Somehow Brian had the idea that we should go grab a drink there after dinner so it couldn't have worked out better. He walked in to everyone yelling "surprise"!

It was a very fun night. Happy Birthday, Brian!

Wear Red Tomorrow!

The first Friday in February is National Wear Red Day to promote heart health awareness. This started about four years ago and it is amazing how many people wear red on this day each year. A friend of mine that works for the American Heart Association gave me the red dress symbol cookie cutter with a heart healthy sugar cookie recipe. So, here they are. My co-workers will get to frost them with red frosting tomorrow...only the ones that remember to wear red :)

Tagged

My friend Cheri tagged me a week or two ago and here I am catching up. The idea is that you are supposed to look at your sixth folder under "My Pictures" and then choose the sixth picture and write about it.

This picture was taken when we were in Cozumel. Each morning they would have dive instructors bring scuba equipment to the pool for people to try out. Andy is a certified diver, but here he was just having fun. This was also the first time that I have ever tried scuba diving. I tag

Annie

Sheba

Desi & Lou

Baby Weekend

I spent this past weekend back in Chicago for "Baby Weekend". This included painting Desiree's nursery, helping to fold and sort baby clothes, putting additional shelving in the closet, helping to host her baby shower, and then unpacking and putting away the fun shower gifts! Everyone that knows me knows my love for everything baby so this was such a fun weekend! It was strange leaving today knowing that the next time I am back Desiree will be in labor ready to have that baby! I cannot wait! And an update on the film that is being shot at our house...

They were here again this past Thursday through today staging and shooting. They will be here one more weekend, hence one more weekend getaway for us:). When we have more details of the finished project, we will be sure to share.

Lights, Camera, Action

Andy and I are staying at hotelVetro for the weekend...and next weekend and the next. It's kind of a long story, but a production company is using our house as a set for an upcoming movie. We don't know too much about the movie except that it is a thriller and is titled "The Offering". I asked if there would be any blood splattered on our walls and they said nothing like that would take place in the house. With that, I think we are safe. We got kicked out yesterday morning and popped in before going to dinner last night and it was really strange to see other people in picture frames, different bedding on the beds, etc. Yesterday was their main staging day with the filming starting today. It has been kind of fun to see some of things that need to take place before filming can even begin. For now, it is quite fun 'living' downtown Iowa City at the hotel. More details to come...

-24 degrees

I don't think writing about how it is SO darn cold here is going to get me any sympathy as all of our friends and family reading this also live in the blustery midwest. Instead, here are a few pics from our Cozumel trip last February. Sitting here with the heated blanket on, it almost takes me back. I loved that trip!

Playing photographer

Last weekend I took a few shots of Desiree's pregnant belly.

I can't wait until little boy Chiappetta is here! I know Desiree has a lot on her to-do list as she prepares for their baby boy. Being an aunt takes some preparation, too! I have some more sewing to do, books to read, and some meals to make and freeze for them. I know it will be a busy time for them and I want to be able to help out as much as possible (or as much as they will let me!).